Beyonce's father speaks of 'incredibly painful' departure

BEYONCE'S father and former manager Mathew Knowles has spoken about how hard it was to let his daughter go.

Knowles told The Sun: "It was hard for me to let her go - it was hard for both of us to let each other go.

"And let's be clear on that. She didn't let me go, we both let each other go. That's a big difference.

"This was not a normal ending of a business agreement. This was a dad and a daughter and it was incredibly painful and it had some difficulties."

Beyonce announced in 2011 that her father, who had managed the singer for almost two decades since the early days of Destiny's Child, would be stepping down as her manager.

The singer decided to split with her father due to business reasons.

In a statement released in May 2011 she said: "I've only parted ways with my father on a business level."

"He is my father for life and I love my dad dearly. I am grateful for everything he has taught me…I grew up watching both he and my mother manage and own their own businesses.

"They were hardworking entrepreneurs and I will continue to follow in their footsteps," the statement continued.

The "Single Ladies" singer now manages herself and her global multi-million dollar business, with earnings from Pepsi adverts, H&M campaigns and documentaries, as well as album and concert ticket sales.

Speaking in her recent HBO documentary Life is But A Dream about the decision to part from her father's management, Beyonce said: "I'm feeling so very empty because of the relationship with my dad. And I'm so fragile at this point and I feel like my soul has been tarnished.

"It's just too stressful, and it really affects your relationship. I needed boundaries, and I think my dad needed boundaries."